Going With The Winds

JAKE

“Hi Marty.” Marty Hall had just called me, which considering ti was Thanksgiving, probably meant wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving, and, of course, to make sure I was still good to show up at his 122 foot Ketch rigged “Enchanter” in a few days.

Marty’s husband, Rion Granger, were two of the richest openly gay men in the United States, and I was humbled they wanted me every year to skipper their yacht for them.

Out of the closet, or not, they never made a big thing out of it. For Marty Hall, building wealth came first. Luckily for him, he’d married a patient, sympathetic sweet man in Rion Granger. I crewed for them for two years almost right after retiring from active duty with the Navy Seals, before then becoming their part time yacht captain. They were easy going clients to work for, and it was a job I savored.

“Hi Jake, happy Thanksgiving.” Marty said.

“Checking to see I am showing up in a few days, eh?”

“Absolutely, you know me.” Marty laughed. “Gotta make sure the sexiest Skipper on the eastern seaboard will be aboard to drive my guests into a frenzy of lust.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry I’ll be there. In fact, I have a favor to ask….” (See, I was right. Happy Thanksgiving and making sure I was coming. Like I would miss that job!)

I could hear the voices of Dan, Alex, Mike, Keen and the striking looking Cass, out there in the dining room as they settled into eat.

“Shoot,” Marty said.

Pausing as I heard them, a decision clicked over in my head. “Here’s the thing…” I began.

A few minutes later, I completed the call, and headed out around and into the dining room.

They were all seated, with Dan at one end of the table, Keen on his right, Alex on his left, Cass on Keen’s right and Mike on Alex’s left, which left the other end of the table open… for me.

I smiled, and quickly took my seat.

Dan grinned proudly around but asked, “Everything ok, Jake?’

“Fine, baby. That was just Marty Hall wishing us a Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Marty Hall?” Mike rumbled. “Isn’t he…”

“One of the richest gay men in America.” Dan slotted in. “That’s the guy who owns the yacht Jake Captain’s every year at this time. He sails it down the East coast for them, on down to Key West, and from there they cruise the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands, whichever they choose. I envy Jake, every year, but I can’t leave my business.”

“Do they need any more crew?” This came from Cass, which surprised me.

Dan again, answered for me. “You’d have to ask Jake. I wouldn’t know, but I have to believe the crew have all be hired, right, love?”

“Oh, definitely,” I said, inwardly wincing as he called me "love." I mean we did still love one another, but it still felt odd with Keen right there beside him.

Cass nodded. “That’s a pity. Dad’s Island is just west of the Keys where I 95 stretches down to Key West. It's really just a couple hours boat ride from Key West itself. Dad is working overtime right now on finishing the rebuild on the Island, and I didn’t want to interfere. But it would have been cool to have a reason to be there without distracting him.”

The blond had some balls trying to invite himself aboard, I thought. Still an offer to crew wasn’t an offer to turn down all that easily, either. Yet at the same time, I was relieved we did have a full crew. I wanted to get away from Rehoboth and this life, and at this moment, I wanted to get away as quickly as possible, and I hated to admit it to myself. but I needed to leave ALL this behind, including Cass, even though I hardly knew the young guy.

“Jake, would you carve the Turkey?” Dan asked me.

Oh yes, it wouldn’t carve itself. I got up and headed to the sideboard where the massive Turkey awaited the knife. I had to admit that was on beautiful bird.

I picked up the long fork and carving knife and went to work, grinning to myself as the meat just fell off to the sharp knife, looking incredibly moist.

As I worked with my back to the table, the topic changed to politics. I was strictly apolitical myself, my beliefs running somewhere between Green environmental concerns, Libertarianism, Democrat or Republican. About some things one could even call me a touch conservative. I guess you’d call me an Independent. There were some good points from all perspectives, in my humble view, and since I couldn’t seem to talk politics with anyone without them thinking me a screwball hypocrite, I confined myself to reading, watching and keeping my mouth shut.

Dan, perhaps because of his business, had become more economically conservative, while Mike was heavy handedly Democrat with a strong Progressive bent, and the two of them jousted around one another. I got the feeling Dan’s idea of a quintet family living in this house was going up in smoke fast, not just because I wouldn’t be a part of that, but because of the way those two were trying so hard, despite divergent views, not to get pissed off at one another. I quickened the carving, interrupting to ask who wanted dark and who wanted light meat until everyone was served.

Then I sat down and before any more politics could come up, I said, “I am not much for formal religion, and I don’t know anyone here is, but I still like to say Grace on Thanksgiving, so if you don’t mind, that’s what I am going to do.”

I reached out my hands and Mike and Cass took them, the others following suit, so we were all holding hands.

Taking a breath, I waited for inspiration. I looked around the table and didn’t have to wait long. I loved these guys. Well, maybe not yet Cass, but who knew? Maybe someday. He seemed like a nice kid. Then the words were there.

“Creator, you who have given us this cosmos in which we are privileged to exist and to experience life, we thank you, tonight for the company of friends. I thank you for the kind warmth of these fine men at this table whom I must say goodbye to so, soon. But I will look back and remember these faces and this meal with a deep love and a glad heart. Thank you for letting us be here this precious day and thank you for all the days to come that we can be in this life, breathing this air, enjoying this food, and enjoying one another’s company. Amen.”

Hands were squeezed with the murmured “Amens.”

“All right don’t forget the stuffing, gents. My specialty.”

“Mmm and you do stuff, so well, big Jake.” Alex said seductively.

 Chuckles and groans filled the air, followed by the sound of serving, and the soft clatter of silverware on fine China.

As the meal went on, I couldn’t help but feel a sort of psychic pressure from Mike, my boss with the beach Patrol. I felt his regard on me often, particularly when Keen and Dan were huddled at the other end of the table in soft discussion. I did my best to ignore him, letting the conversation flow around me.

I knew Mike had some concerns about my marriage and he worried over me. Well, he was right. Not the worrying part, but about marriage. He just didn’t realize it was already over but the document signing.

But what he could he do? Ask me how I was holding up with Keen and Dan so close by? Not really. I pretended to ignore my friend, instead, and decided to draw Cass out.

“While I am gone you might want to let Captain Mike of the beach patrol show you around. When your completely done with college, a summer or two as a lifeguard might be right up your ally. I gather you're at least somewhat familiar with the water. Ever take lifesaving?”

Cass wiped his mouth with a napkin and nodded. “Back in my freshman year orientation class, our professor thought we should all practice on dummies and brought a Paramedic team in to train us, and took three classes to do it, so yes, I have had CPR training. I could use a refresher, but I am not sure I want to do that next Summer. I mean, be a lifeguard. Really, once I am done with school, I intend to go work for my Dad… possibly.” Cass waggled his hand. “We’ll see.”

“Kind of unusual, hearing someone WANT to work for their parents.” Dan remarked. Clearly, he’d been listening in.

“Do you have any sailing experience?”

“Just sailing a sunfish out of my uncle’s marina. I worked there as a dock boy last year.”

Cass glanced at me. “I’d really like to study and get a Captain’s license like you did.”

Oh boy. I could see the blond was still angling to crew on Marty’s yacht, and that wasn’t something I had any business doing without consulting Marty. I could recommend, of course, but frankly, the thought of taking any of these guys with me… I needed a clean break.

Mike snorted. “Jake here didn’t just get a Captain’s License. That takes hours of seamanship experience before you can be qualified to go for one of those, and Jake’s experience was in the Navy Seals as a boat pilot and officer. For him to get a license after that was a comparatively small step, right Jake?”

“Not so small as that, but yeah. Takes a lot of hours for even the first grade of License,” I admitted.

Cass shrugged. “I majored in English lit, but have no use for it, unless I gain enough life experience to write about it. I’ve no interest in doing ads, or websites, or news. I think want to write novels someday. But to do that, I need to live, right?” He shrugged and offered an, I must admit, charming, dimpled smile and a grin. Ok, someone was going to go for this boy, someday. But not me. No way. I’d been through enough with men and sex and supposed love. I needed a long vacation.

“Well maybe next year if a slot opens up among the regular crew members, I could see if Marty would consider it.” I forced a grin and gave Cass a wink, “I am sure Marty and his husband, and their guests would enjoy the scenery.”

Cass frowned and blushed at the same time, so my little tease had not gone down well. He probably thought I disrespected him or something. Yeah well, I hardly knew him, didn’t I? Oh well. I wasn’t going to worry. I was sure plenty of possibilities would come Cass’s way. He was young, looked even younger, was clearly fit and astonishingly good looking, and clearly intelligent. I was sure he would go far.

The rest of the dinner flowed along just fine, champagne and good food loosening tongues and inhibitions. We had an apple pie, pumpkin and pecan pie, but pretty much everyone stuck to the pumpkin pie, which was enhanced by a hefty sprinkle of cinnamon and, of course, whipped cream.

“Good thing the “Enchanter” has a solo-flex station. I am going to need to burn off all this,” I said.

“Enchanter?” Cass asked.

“The name of Marty’s yacht.” I said and Cass nodded.

“Well, that was great. Time for the game!” Mike announced. Mike was an avid football fan and had played it in High School.

“You guys go ahead. Since Jake did most of the cooking, keen and I will do the dishes.” Dan directed.

That fit into my plans, so I just nodded. “Sounds good. Everyone gets drink for the game and sack out in the living room on the couch facing the screen.” Mike was already on the way. He and Alex had already been sleeping here every so often during the last couple of weeks, so Mike knew where everything was.

Alex had been pretty quiet all evening, though his eyes frequently went to Cass. I had noticed that. Alex wore his heart in his eyes, and all I could do was shake my head over that. Alex had Mike, now and he needed to fucking settle. Hah! I couldn’t help inwardly smirking at the thought of Alex settling. Mike had his hands full. Oh hell, they both did!

Cass started to follow them, but then surprised us. “I am going to go for a run on the beach. You all enjoy.”

Maybe Cass hoped I would go with him, but I slipped off down the hall to the master stateroom. I had things to do. and first among them was to quickly strip the room of my things and move them into the adjacent guest room. In the guest room, I moved Keen’s bag and clothes into the master bedroom, then grabbed my stuff and moved it out to the garage.

Next stop, the office. Slipping into that space, I spent the time to write a note to Dan, placing it in an envelope and leaving it on the desk for him. I would text him later, to be sure he found it, but I was sure he would. Dan used that office, now, every day almost as much as he did the one in the Hotel.

I felt like a spy, flitting about in the shadows, but this was the way I wanted it. No awkward goodbyes, no tears, no making sure Keen and Dan knew they could sleep together in the master bedroom while I took the guest room. They would realize that freedom on their own.

Taking a deep breath, I peered in through the swinging door to the kitchen. Dan was perched up on the edge of the counter, his shirt off, his shorts open, his cock glistening as Keen’s mouth moved up and down on it.

“Aww mmm fuck, Keen, you give the best head. Oh, so good, baby.” I watched for a few long seconds, taking it in, taking them in.

Keen moaned through his smacking sucking lips, clearly relishing sucking Dan. The movement of his head, showed he was not just bobbing but doing little circles of his head, really massaging and swirling that shaft and head with his mouth and tongue. Dan’s head was back, his pelvis, rocking, my soon to be x hubby, enjoying the pleasure of a very fine blow job.

Ok, no need to disturb the love birds, I thought. For once, not getting that excited feeling from watching men in action. I was a first-class voyeur, but, for some reason… I felt nothing. Maybe a further sense of distance, I don’t know.

Retreating, I all but ran into Cass. The pale blond had stripped down to boxer shorts and nothing else. I couldn’t help blinking at the sight of that big sausage bulge across and down one leg, with the tip teasing the edge of those tight knit boxers.

“It is November, Cass. You're going to be cold out there.” I warned.

Cass gaped. “Oh yeah, your right. I was just thinking how great it would be to jog on the beach. I’ll get my windbreaker. Sure you don’t want to join me?”

I hesitated. “Give me a few minutes, and I will meet you out on the terrace. And if you have any sweats, I would wear those, if I were you.”

Cass nodded.

I waited for Cass to leave me to get his jacket, and I retreated to the garage. Quickly, I changed out of my loose jeans and flannel shirt. Pulling out sweatpants and a hoodie, I pulled on some deck shoes, and stuffed the jeans and flannel shirt into the bag in the back seat of the old Dodge Ram I didn’t mind leaving in the marina parking lot for months and closed the door.

I jogged through the house to the Terrace, finding it empty. A scan of the beach didn’t show me a white-haired boy running about. I was about to go in and look for him when he appeared, wearing wind breaker and sweatpants, I guess, over those sexy boxers. Part of me was disappointed.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to take a call.”

“No problem. Your Dad?”

“Something like that.” Cass said.

I was stretching hamstrings and doing bends to limber up, and Cass joined me, with a muttered, “good idea.”

It was cold out in the lower sixties, but clearly doable, and I thanked Cass, “This is a good idea. Thanks. Be good to work off that food.”

A little more stretching and then we were off, heading up the beach below the quiet late fall boardwalk. The beach was all but empty, but we did pass a few joggers out doing exactly what we were doing, working off dinner.

Cass was clearly in good shape, but I couldn’t help setting a brisk pace, if only to see just how capable he was. Running on a beach was not as easy as one might think, particularly in soft sand, and on a chilly night letting one’s feet deal with the ice-cold Atlantic water was not a wise idea and an invitation to foot cramps, if nothing else. So, we kept to the higher dry fluffy sand.

Jogging up past the boardwalk into sand dune country, I was not all that surprise when we passed a few couples, one straight and three gay couples, all semi secluded up in the dunes. They were clearly finding another way to keep warm.

I didn’t look to see if Cass noticed. The Dunes north of the beach proper were notorious for sexual encounters. If he did decide to lifeguard here after all, next summer, he’d find out on his own.

About another mile further I reigned it in and saw that Cass was only a bit winded. He leaned over briefly, hands on his knees as he caught his breath.

I was only just warming up, my breathing easy and sure, hardly sped up at all. This wasn’t to brag. I had earned this condition. Years of long hard discipline and training accounted for it. “We can rest a minute or two but not too long in this cold,” I told him, and he just nodded.

But then when he straightened up, he said, “I know it’s none of my business, but can I ask you a personal question?”

I shrugged, though I knew better than to say yes. When someone asks if they can ask a personal question, it’s almost sure to be at least a little offensive. But I said, “Sure, go ahead.”

“Do you and Dan … do you guys have…” He paused, obviously searching for courage. Jeez, this had to be bad. I waited. “I mean, do you have an open relationship?”

Oh, that. I crooked a brow and decided to play innocent. “Why would you ask that?”

Even in the moonlight I could see him swallow and had to chuckle inwardly.

“Well…” His voice died away.

“Yes?” I prodded. I was being nasty, but I couldn’t help it. Sometimes you have to find humor in a little darkness that comes one’s way.

He exploded a sigh and said, “I couldn’t help noticing that, well, your husband and that Keen Andrews are really…”

“Do you think they are lovers?” I put just a trace of alarm in my voice and Cass backed a step.

“I ; I don’t know. The way they were … I mean I saw them…”

“What, kissing?” I laughed. “No worries, Dan kisses everyone.”

“Not kissing. Well, ok, kissing but, I mean, I… I started to go into the kitchen and…” He paused, unable to go on.

I just started to laugh. I couldn’t help it and Cass stopped mid-sentence looking at me, his expression changing from embarrassed to flummoxed, and then glaring.

Finally, I ran down, putting up a hand at his glare, but of course his expression just teased more hilarity out of me.

“Ah Cass, Cass…” But I laughed some more, unable to help myself.

Cass’s glare which I had to admit was damn cute, went into a squint as if he were trying to figure out if I had gone around the bend or something.

Finally, I wound down, but oh that laugh felt good. “Ok, look, this will all be apparent tomorrow, but Dan and I are getting a divorce. Dan is a good guy, Cass, but we want different things.”

“I am so sorry.” Cass was looking mortified.

“No, it’s ok. The decision is recent. Very recent. But I just need to get away and start a new chapter, you know? So, if you don’t mind, don’t share that news with anyone else. That can be Dan’s job once I am gone, ok?”

He nodded. “Of course. I am sorry I was so nosey.” He still sounded horrified that he had butted in, but oh well. He had, indeed, butted in, after all. I looked at him, his pale blond hair silvery white in the moonlight. He was quite the young hunk, and I wondered that some talent agent hadn't grabbed him up to star as a hunky elf in some fantasy movie somewhere.

“No problem. Let’s head back, ok? Not good to stand here getting cold again.”

“Right.” He said, clearly glad to be doing something.

We took off, but this time, as we ran, I put myself in a different place of consciousness, and just let myself run faster and faster, until I was a distant, (to my own mind), pumping machine, flying across the sand, leaving Cass far behind.

 

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My apologies for recent chapters with so little sex, but my guy, my Jake is in a place of transition between one life and the next. That will change very soon. This story is about to get hotter and hotter as we voyage with him in "Going With the Winds."